Left parties fail with special fund for social equalization

The left-wing parties in the Saxon state parliament have failed with their bill for a special fund for social compensation and climate protection. Five billion euros were to be used to relieve the population in the event of crises, natural disasters or catastrophes. During a debate in parliament on Wednesday, Finance Minister Hartmut Vorjohann (CDU) and CDU legal expert Martin Modschiedler pointed out that such a special fund is not compatible with the Free State's constitution. The left-wing parties had also proposed a constitutional amendment with their bill.

"The severe weather events of the last week are dramatic, even if Saxony was not hit as hard as feared. But we well remember floods, forest fires as a result of drought and heat, heavy rain and flash floods," argued Left Party parliamentary group leader Rico Gebhardt. The intervals between such events are becoming shorter. In a time of crisis, we need security and predictability. Saxony has the potential and the opportunity to contribute to this with a precautionary fund - not only for natural disasters, but also for political and economic crises.

Gebhardt recalled that previous attempts to introduce natural hazard insurance have failed. A special fund could be used to cushion social imbalances in the event of a crisis. "The coronavirus pandemic and the energy crisis, as well as extreme weather events, show that this is necessary," he emphasized. "The management of crises and their consequential damage must not widen the social divide any further - poorer people have always been hit harder by crises than wealthier people."